Dirt cheap survival kits?

FoxholeAtheist

FoxholeAtheist

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I'm starting this thread to get some ideas for someone who wants a dirt-cheap emergency kit for messing about in the woods. This is in response to a thread started by a fellow forumite who apparently goes into the woods with friends and sometimes spends the night because they don't know how to get back out. It sounds like he doesn't have much money, or much woods-knowledge (the only knife they have had with them on this outings is a butterfly knife), so I'm starting this thread with the idea of coming up with some kind of dirt-cheap survival kit for this scenario.

So, with the idea being that you are with a couple of friends out in the woods and just need to stay out for a night or so, what would they need? I'm not going to set constraints on pricing, but think as if you were a poor 17 year old guy and didn't want to blow all your money on stuff you'd never use. The knife angle is covered in the other thread, so stick with non-knife items here. I'm going to assume for the sake of this thread that he already has some kind of backpack or bag he can shove the stuff into, and that he won't be going out of his way to any kind of outdoorsy store to find items.

My thoughts to start..

1. Pack of Bic lighters : Obviously, you might want a fire.

2. Pack of tough garbage bags: These can carry water, provide shelter, provide a rain poncho of sorts, etc. Red or orange are best to be seen, but any color will keep you dry.

3. Dental floss: waxed dental floss is tough, so it makes a good emergency twine, and waxed, so knots stay better than they would otherwise. It also packs small and you can use the thingie to cut it to length.

What else do they need, guys?
 
FHA,

I read that thread as well and I can identify. I started out just like that kid. The damp misery and sleepless nights I remember them well.

Good gear dosen't need to be expensive. My top picks...

US Army Poncho and Poncho liner
Paracord
US Army Canteen & Cup
Contractor bags
Space Blanket
Duct Tape
Bic Lighter
SAK
Short 10 - 12 in Tramontina Machete
AA Mini-Maglight

Given these items you can pretty much make your way with whereever or whatever. Mac
 
I'd include some first-aid kind of medical supplies just in case (you know, something to disinfect the wounds with, perhaps KMnO4 which occupies very small space and can be dissolved in water as needed ? etc.), some "emergency rations" - glucose&minerals&whatnot pills or chocolate bars :) Something like that, others already mentioned something to keep you warm and not-wet (can't say dry because water/humidity will get to you either way). Fire utensils are obviously useful as is some kind of cord.

I'm not sure whether you pack compass and map of the area when you go hiking as it is but it wouldn't hurt you (perhaps a tiny backup compass in survival kit, in addition to whatever you're normally bringing with you).

None of these things is too expensive, i imagine everything listed on the thread so far (buy milsurp Army stuff) shouldn't cost you any more than two days worth of booze with your friends at your age :D
 
FoxholeAtheist,

Here's my take. The most important item are the ones with an *, in case it's still too expensive and choices must be made.

* - Mora blade: 10$
- 600/1000 grit sandpaper for sharpening: 2$
* - Butane lighter x 2: 1$
- Cotton balls: 2$ if there's none at home
- Vaseline: 2$ if there's none at home (can be replaced by just about anything petroleum based)
- Small iodine vial with cohesion dropper: 2$
* - Pack of 10 super heavy duty garbage bags (carry 2-3 at a time, rotate as needed): 7$
- Box of ziplocks: 3$ (carry 2-3)
* - Stocking cap: 0$ just dig in the closets
* - Good quality 3M duct tape roll: 6$
- Whistle (self made): 0$
- Old wool blanket to sleep in and to carry the stuff: 0$ if he's got a grandfather to borrow it from
- A length of old rope, strap or belt to make a shoulder sling and attach the rolled blanket
* - Two empty Evian plastic bottles: 0$ (wrap some duct tape and cord / electrical cable whatever to make loops so you can carry them on the shoulder sling)

Total 36-40$. Still an investment for a 17 years old.

* items total: 24$. Many cost-free replacements can be found digging in dad's garage and around the family closets ;)

Oh, and I forgot something important:

* - Some instruction and training on how to use all that stuff: priceless.

Cheers,

David
 
Ummm....why "2 EMPTY Evian bottles"?
Dehydration disorients and kills.
Shelter is next.
Fire.
and lastly food.
So many people don't carry the most important thing or too little of it because it is 'too heavy'. Drink it and keep your eye out for replacement.
If you do not have iodine or water pure tabs and are in a true survival situation and cannot get clean water other ways, then the clear plastic bottles make sense. As very low-tech method of using direct solar radiation to REDUCE pathogens (but not purify) in water fill them from the local source and lay them down in the sun for a day. The ultra-violet light will kill many of the bugs but not all.
Pur carries many great water filtration devices in a wide price range. More expensive, but lightweight and only useful if you have a watersource.
I like my filter straws for my day hikes along the river and even use then in the occasional spring, but I still hydrate hours ahead of time and carry at least 2 liters of water.
Don't depend on cheap 'button' compasses. I have seen them incorrectly marked and find out North was the other way. :eek:
 
If a canteen is too expensive a 1L stainless cup thingy from the Dollar shop would act as a cup and pot. If they need a hot drink it could server all three of them in one serving to get some heat into them, then they could make another brew. (Tea old chap, best drink of the day ;) )

A few honey sachets swiped from a KFC and a couple of straws if water is located but unreachable, it could be either sucked and drank or syphoned into a container to be heated.
 
Merek said:
Ummm....why "2 EMPTY Evian bottles"?
Dehydration disorients and kills.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: You gotta be kidding :grumpy:

Imagine you walk next to a crystal clear stream and suddenly realize your evian water in your evian bottle is out. Will you

a) be in trouble because you've got no evian left?
b) be able to bend down and refill them?

To answer your question: 2 empty evian bottles because they can be obtained for free, and can be refilled for free...

Why add 4$ to a tight budget?

True, however: dehydration disorients (and ruins fine/complex motor skills, judgment, immune system and many other useful things) and kills.

Cheers,

David
 
It seems to me that Doug Ritter's Pocket Survival Pak for about $25 is a pretty darn cheap way to get some first rate gear. The Spark-Lite sparker, Tinder-Quik, Fox40 whistle, Rescue Flash mirror, and survival compass are really top quality brand-name stuff.

On top of that add:
-a good quality knife - The $10 Mora can't be beat for the price.

-a pack of chemical water purification tablets - I prefer Micropur tablets, $14 from Campmor

-a big thick plastic bag and/or a decent poncho - for shelter

-a small LED flashlight - the Dorcy 2-AAA light is only $6 or so at Walmart

-two wide-mouth Lexan 32 oz. water bottles - The off-brand ones are cheaper than the Nalgene ones, and nearly as tough, especially if not hung from the loops. Considering the importance of your water supply, I just can't convince myself that the flimsy bottled-water bottles are sufficient. They are just not tough enough to last more than a few trips.

-a home-made basic first aid kit with bandages and tweezers.
 
In the order that I place these issues:

Category 1: Knowledge of survival/wilderness/bushcraft skills gained from Internet, library, and practice. Knowledge replaces "things" to some extent and helps minimize the chances of panic and the poor decisions that panic produces. If you intend to go "off-road," you need some basic knowledge to increase the odds in your favor: shelter building; finding and purifying water; fire-making; signaling; first aid; finding food; wilderness navigation.

Knowledgeable people have survived with only the clothing on their backs in the same situations that have killed persons with many pounds of expensive equipment.

Category 2: Because "exposure" ( too cold/too hot) kills far more than all other causes combined, most posters have wisely addressed the need for shelter. The best, inexpensive solution seems to be heavy-duty ("contractor") trash bags. They are expedient ponchos and shelter roofs to keep you dry and out of the wind. (In dessert areas, shade can be an issue as well as wind and cold.) Building a shelter is often made easier with a knife of some kind -- the best you can afford, but any knife is better than none. A piece of a glass bottle may have to serve. There are also light, thermally effective "survival blankets." As a practical matter, if the weather can turn cold, you ahould always have an insulation layer with you (Polyester fleece or wool - with acrylic as a third choice. Never cotton.)

Category 3: Water is far more necessary than food. Most posters have wisely addressed the need to have, collect, and store water. That topic starts with containers, many mentioned above. I don't think anyone mentioned zip-lock freezer bags. They fit in the pocket and hold water securely. A small bottle of chlorine pills to treat the water would be in order. (A secure pill bottle of chlorine bleach - and the knowldege of how to use it -- would substitute.) A metal container - even a coffee can -- allows boiling to sanitize.

Category 4: Fire helps the "shelter" issue if it's cold, is a signaling tool, allows sanitizing water and cooking, and helps with morale (shows you have some control over the situation). In areas of the West, it can also kill you if it gets out of control (See Category 1 above.).

Category 5: Medical and First Aid issues are statistically a lesser risk, but that's no consolation if you or a loved one need treatment. A small first aid kit, including any personal meds required, would be prudent. In areas with bitting "bugs," a small container of repellant should be with you.

Category 6: You may wish to signal to help people find you. That means whistles, mirrors (polished alumimum beverage can bottom), obvious colored cloth for a signal flag (red, bright orange, even white in areas of dark background), and smoking fires.

Category 7: Food is nice but not necessary for some days. Having said the obvious, food is nice, and the typical person willl not find many calories in the wilds. I always carry a tropical chocolate bar that is not very tasty. Ergo, it is always available in emergencies. Even a few pieces of hard candy are a morale-booster. (If you are inclined, there is much information on gathering "wild" food - plant and animal. I hope you never NEED to use it.)

Category 8: SAR wants you to stay put in a safe place so you can be found. If you must move or decide to move, you should have a compass and/or knowledge of how to navigate in the wilds.

It does not take a fortune to cover all of these categories - say $5.00 plus a compass, knife and first aid kit/meds. OR you can spend $$hundreds.

Tom
 
David,
Indeed why add $4 to a cheap budget? Fill them at the kitchen sink before you leave. Not everybody has the pleasure of hiking along/near a river or has springs flowing/dripping from the hills around them. Not all those rivers are as clean as they may appear. As the ad sez "Where were you when your diarrhea medicine quit working?"
Think:
-runoff from inefficient septic systems
-stockyard waste
-drowned animals
-upstream towns (the Ohio River did actually catch fire)
-natural bugs
:barf: :barf: :barf: :(
Most of my hikes revolve around water sources because that is where 'Indians' camped and they are about 75% of my reason for being somewhere offroad.
[SIDENOTE: If you are in danger of flood when in the 'wilds' look for Amerind sites or the 100+ year old farm house (usually built on an 'arrowhead site'). Such a place is usually safe high ground. Assuming such a place can be recognized.]
Include a pocket size notepad and pencil &/or a Sharpie permanent marker. Should you have to move, which is generally not advised if already lost, you can leave notes on when, which direction, and the reason you moved as well as notes on the condition of your party. Place the note in a Ziploc and place it prominantly (under the top rock of a pile or hanging from the tip of branch).
:(
 
Thomas,

I like your breakdown. I completely agree with the order of your categories. Far too many people seem to want to put signaling or fire starting, or even food before prevention of hypothermia or hyperthermia. I would suspect that most people, especially kids, die from hypothermia.

I have a question regarding your category 2 which has been bugging me, and I yet to see very many people address.

I myself carry a 55 gal. drum liner as an emergency shelter. Assuming I have sufficient insulation (a coat), the liner should go a long way to protecting my upper body from exposure, BUT ...

Have you ever sat or slept on the ground in cool weather and felt the heat getting sucked out of you? I'm starting to think that some kind of thin closed cell foam, though it certainly won't pack small, could make a world of difference. Any ideas?
 
Leaves. Hollow a depression and fill it with LOTS of DRY leaves. Check 'em for bugs first. Long pine needles work too. Just don't dig too deep in the drifts where they are damp and don't use poison ivy ;) .
 
"fill it with LOTS of DRY leaves"

Maybe if I catch leaves immediately after they fall they will be nice and dry and fluffy, BUT my experience has been that most leaves are dry on top, but very wet on the bottom. Which removes any insulation capabilities.
 
???
Yes. I thought I specified DRY leaves. Off the top of the drift.
....May take a bit of work to be comfortable enough to want to survive.
 
Merek,

You are dead right about distrusting untreated water. There are all sorts of nasties in the water even in deep wilds. However, it was the Cuyahoga River that caught fire -- right in the middle of Cleveland -- 30 miles west of where I sit. That was the same year the Mayor of Cleveland caught his hair on fire (eventually on national TV) cutting a ribbon at a new factory with a torch. Poor Cleveland. :(

Kenk,

I backpack with a Thermorest pad in my pack. Insulation under you is important as where you touch you have conductive loss of heat -- far faster than convective loss to cold air. Worse, the ground may be wet, speeding loss of heat. So something waterproof under you is good, but something that doesn't get mostly crushed by your weight is far better. I often carry a closed-cell foam pad that was originally a pad to quiet an electric typewriter -(maybe 16" x 12"). It's my "chair" when we stop for lunch on the trail. In a true emergency, a corner of this foam rubber item would sure help start a fire.
 
Thomas layed it out pretty well. I also second the freezer zip loc bags. I carry a couple of the 1 gallon size in my kits and can state from experience that they will carry a lot of water. I did find some burlap bags that are roughly the size of the ziplocs and they have handles. They work great for carrying extra water or gathered wild foods and they fold up small and have no added weight to speak of.
 
I have a pad about 2'x5' that in a previous incarnation was a yoga mat or similar. Blue foam-ish stuff. Pretty thin but waterproof and light. It is tossed in my camping stuff though I have never used it for sleeping on (or yoga). Better than only leaves, I am certain. I just hate carrying things which is why I carry stuff now. I always used to try to rely on the minimum and got myself in really uncomfortable situations often 'nuff to learn.
Some furniture comes with foam sheets between the pieces and some of it is surprisingly strong despite a tendency to rip lengthwise. If you could find a source of this stuff it may survive a night or two, weighs almost nothing and is pretty much free from the dumpster at the local big furniture outlet. There may also be available in the same dumpster, very large thick clear plastic bags.
Don't make a mess pulling the stuff out or you may get run-off. :eek:
 
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